Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-08-10
Murkpille Guqnirer,
S. C..
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887.
THE sPARTANBIJRG ENCAMPMENT.

CONDENSED from the News and Courier.)
The Interstate Farmers Summer En-
campment was inaugurated at Spartanburg
on Tuesday of last week, and continued un
til Friday afternoon. Despite the rain,
which fell in torrents on Tuesday, people
from the surrounding country commenced
gathering in, and at ar early hour the
streets were crowded with a bustling,
though a dripping throng, on foot, on
horseback and in wagons. Up to IL O'Clock
the rain continued to descend, and SO
gloomy was the prospect that it was sug-
gested by the leaders in the enterprise that
the campaign at the Encampment should
be abandoned, and that a meeting be called
in the Courthouse to consider the situa-
ton.
In the meanwhile, however, the farmers
from Greenville, York, Laurens and the
nearer counties, who had arrived in the
morning, had moved v to the ground,
and invested the dormitories or prepared
themselves to stand the siege in their Wag-
ons.
Soon after II o'clock the rain ceased and
an immense crowd poured into the
streets. The spirits of the visitors were
stirred into life by the strains of the band
of the I'd Palmetto Regiment, which was
stationed in front of Adj. Gen. Bonham's
tent on the camp-ground, and the music OF
the S%partanburg Brass Band, which dis
coursed it's music under the pavilion.
Under these favorable circumstances il
was determined to proceed with the bust
ness of the encampment, and the commit
tee made arrangements Immediately to
entertain the assembled farmers.
The rain in the morning had well filled
the pavilion, the great and necessary ele-
ment of a mass meeting was already pres,
ent, and all that was needed was a power
to set the machinery in motion.
At about IL O'Clock, therefore, the Hon
John w. Wofford called the meeting to
order. The stage was occupied by the
following named gentlemen: n. F. Walk
er, of Spartanburg, the Rev. r. Fl. Reid,
the Hon. J. w. Wofford, DR.. G. E. Elem,
ing, Col. A.,P Butler, the Hon. r. s
Bedon, of Colleton, It. J. Moore, of Spar
tanburg, the Hon. D. R. Duncan, of Spar.
tanburg, Mr.. E. L. Roche, Prof. D: A,
DuPre, J. H. Montgomery, b r: Mont;
gomery, nj aged farmer from Texas, and
other distinguished citizens.
The opening prayer was offered up by
Rev. R. H. Reid, of Reidville.
Upon motion of Mr.. John w. Woford,
who stated that there was no likelihood
of the presence Of the commissioners from
the four other States, Capt. n F. Walker
was called to the chair.
In assuming the chair Capt. Walker de-
livered a short and stirring address, in
which he pledged himself to further in
every possible way the objects of the En-
campment. He also introduced the Hon.
d. r. Duncan, who delivered the address
of welcome.
The only other address delivered during
the day was that of Mr.. IT. J. Moore, of
Spartanburg. bee culture" was the sub
iect of his essay. Mr.. Moore treated his
subject from a practical standpoint and in
an eminently entertaining manner.
On Wednesday there was a large in
mers of South Carolina, but from several
counties of Western North Carolina.
The first address at the morning session
was delivered by, State Chemist Philip E.
Chazel on the subject generally of the
official inspection Of fertilizers-the prin-
ciples which underlie it and the practical
difficulties which stand in the way of a
recognition of its value by the farmer.
The second address was delivered by
Col. A. P. Butler, State Commissioner of
Agriculture, who prefaced his remarks
by congratulating the Grange upon the
success of "this great meeting" He said
that it probably surpassed in number and
in work of practical value to planters any
similar gathering that has ever been held
in South Carolina. He considered the
present success of the Encampment the
most convincing proof of it's permanence
as an institution. Col. Buffers address
was devoted to the bars to the progress of
the farmer. He denied that the farmers
of the State are being impoverished by
anything emanating from the executive,
legislative or judicial branches of the State
Government, and if there were anything
that it could he promptly removed. Sum-
ming up, Col. Butler suggested as RENE
dies for present difficulties the diversity
of crops, the practice of rigid economy, the
improvement of the tenant system, more
independence of factors and merchants,
intelligent use of commercial fertilizers,
improved methods of agriculture, and the
use of improved implements.
The next address was that of the Hon.
D. P. Duncan, which was devoted princi-
pally to a discussion of the best methods of
educating farmers and farmers children.
1t was a carefully prepared essay.
After the above address there was a
stock show, and the State agricultural
exhibit occupied the attention of the WIS.,
itors until the afternoon session.
Governor Richardson attended the meet
ing and was called upon for a speech. He
was introduced felicitously by MI. n. F.
Walker, upon which Governor Richard
son responded, congratulating the State
Grange upon the splendid attendance and
expressing the hope that with each return
ing Encampment its proportions would in
crease, and that the farmers, of whom he
was proud to be one, would receive in
the coming years the full benefits of the
enterprise.
The Hon. J. j. Hempeill, in response to
a call, delivered a humorous and taking
little speech which was repeatedly cheered
and applauded.
Secretary Ludwig. of the North Carolina
State Grange, addressed the meeting on
the subject of what the North Carolina
State Grange was doing.
The remainder of the day was devoted
to outdoor sports and amusements of va
rious kinds.
The discussions on Thursday were as fol-
lows:
An instructive essay was read by Mr..
John F. Townsend, the we'll known stock
RAISER anu CoIIOu pldIlef vi EulotO lolaliu,
Oh the future of the sea islands. A great
many of the points made were all of a
revelation to the up-country farmers.
The next address was by Mr.. E. It.
Stackhouse, of Marion, on experiments
with the cotton plant. The deduction be-
ing that the farmer who makes a living at
home, and makes cotton a surplus crop, is
generally solid and safe.
Then came an interesting discussion of
the question'whether it pays the farmer to
substitute cotton seed meal for his cotton
seed as a fertilizer. Among the speakers
were Chancellor Johnson, of Marion,
Messrs. M. l.. Donaldson, of Greenville,
Holleyman, of Orangeburg, and w. Jen-